War-themed board games offer an exhilarating experience, immersing players in epic battles that can last from an evening to an entire day. These games are not just about combat; they're a test of strategic prowess and tactical decision-making. Whether you're planning a short session or a marathon gaming day, these war board games promise to deliver intense and engaging gameplay. So, gather your friends, prepare your snacks and drinks, and get ready for a thrilling adventure.
To ensure your longer gaming sessions run smoothly, consider these tips: Download a PDF copy of the rulebook, which most publishers offer for free, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting their hands or counters outside their turns. If everyone agrees, you might also want to set a time limit per turn to keep the game moving. Now, let's dive into the best war board games available.
TL;DR: These Are the Best War Board Games
Arcs
Dune: War for Arrakis
Sniper Elite: The Board Game
Twilight Imperium IV
Blood Rage
Dune
Kemet: Blood and Sand
Star Wars: Rebellion
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
Undaunted: Normandy / Undaunted: North Africa
Root
Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
War of the Ring
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
Arcs
### Arcs
0See it
War games that involve more than two players often struggle to balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances formed between players. Arcs masterfully blends these elements, as highlighted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by traditional trick-taking card games, offer multiple strategic options while still delivering intense spacecraft battles on a dynamic, circular board. This game rewards aggressive play and discourages defensive strategies, yet allows you to build a comprehensive space empire in under two hours. The narrative campaign expansion adds even more depth to this already brilliant game.
Dune: War for Arrakis
### Dune: War for Arrakis
1See it at Amazon
Don't confuse this with the multi-player negotiation game Dune further down the list. War for Arrakis is a head-to-head battle for two players, pitting the noble Atreides against the wicked Harkonnen in a fight for control of the precious spice. This highly asymmetric game features the guerrilla warfare of the Atreides, their Fremen allies, and summoned sandworms clashing with the larger, wealthier forces of the Harkonnen. The Harkonnen player must also manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain their economic edge. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, this game uses quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system that constantly challenges your strategies, yet it's much quicker to play.
Sniper Elite: The Board Game
### Sniper Elite: The Board Game
1See it at Amazon
Fans of the video game series might be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop adaptation, but its charm is undeniable. The stealth elements are preserved as the sniper player must move slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads trying to detect them. The game adds a layer of historical authenticity that the video game lacks, with thematic components and more realistic combat. With two different boards and various sniper loadout options and squad specialists for the German player, it offers substantial replay value and tactical depth.
Twilight Imperium IV
### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition
8See it at Amazon
Few games can match the epic scale of this all-day sci-fi civilization-building experience. It encompasses everything you'd expect from the genre: bizarre aliens researching technology, building fleets, and fighting over a random galactic hex map. Diplomacy and in-game political decrees add layers of complexity, but the game's strategic core remains robust. The strategy card system, where each player selects a special focus each round, is a standout feature. This fourth edition maintains its sweeping scope while trimming unnecessary elements, making it more accessible.
Blood Rage
### Blood Rage
1See it at Amazon
In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory through rage, axes, and horns to secure a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and impressive components, the game offers significant strategic depth. You'll draft cards to support your actions each round, carefully managing your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent clashes with other players. This game masterfully blends tactical challenge, theme, and brutality, making it a standout in conflict-based board games.
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Dune
### Dune
7See it at Amazon
Dune offers a unique futuristic experience, distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game focuses on hidden information and asymmetrical strategy, with each player representing a faction from the book, each with unique powers. The Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know all secret traitors. This new edition features cleaner rules and stunning artwork, capturing the narrative and political themes of the novel brilliantly.
Kemet: Blood and Sand
### Kemet Blood and Sand
0See it at Amazon
Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures battling in the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow you to customize your strategy with special powers, while everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to intense mind games as you try to outguess your opponents. The board layout ensures constant action, with no place to hide, making for a fast-paced, violent experience.
Star Wars: Rebellion
### Star Wars: Rebellion
14See it at Amazon
Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table with a focus on asymmetric gameplay. The Rebellion player, as the underdog, must survive militarily while winning over planets, while the Empire uses its vast armies to crush dissent. The game features well-known characters and events from the movies, but the narrative unfolds based on your decisions. It's a strategic and varied experience that keeps each turn engaging.
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
### Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear
0See it at Amazon
Tactical wargames can be bogged down by complexity, but Conflict of Heroes strikes the perfect balance. Using a simple system of action points, dice, and differing defense values, it offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. Starting simple, it expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks for a full World War 2 experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a layer of strategic depth.
Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa
### Undaunted: Normandy
5See it at Amazon
### Undaunted: North Africa
3See it at Amazon
### Undaunted Stalingrad
1See it at Amazon
The Undaunted series uses deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat with just a few rules. Officer cards allow you to add new unit cards to your deck, representing the issuing of orders and supplies. Unit cards move troop counters on the modular scenario map, engaging in combat and seizing objectives. As casualties thin your deck, units become less effective, reflecting morale erosion. This series offers an accessible and engaging way to experience World War 2 battles.
Root
### Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right
18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon
Root is a shorter game that emphasizes asymmetry. Four factions vie for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and gameplay. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie engage in traditional conquest, while the Woodland Folk fight as guerrillas, and the Vagabond operates as a lone trickster-hero. Despite its cute theme and quirky art, Root is a strategic game that raises questions about politics and governance.
Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
### Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
0See it at Amazon
The original Twilight Struggle is renowned for its complexity and length, but Red Sea condenses the core card-play into a shorter, hour-long game. It retains the compelling dilemmas of the original, where players must navigate their hand of cards without triggering key events for their opponent. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and the game explores the Cold War in East Africa, with real historical events simulated through the game mechanics.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
### A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at Amazon
This game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the books and TV show. Borrowing from Diplomacy, it ensures that only one player can win, but no one can do so alone, making alliances and betrayals inevitable. The secret order system adds tension, as you can't know your opponent's intentions until it's too late. With elements from the world of Westeros, it's a must-play for fans of the franchise.
War of the Ring
### War of the Ring 2nd Edition
2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon
This game is the best adaptation of Tolkien's work to the board. It features two intertwined games: the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth and the quest of the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring. The design brilliantly balances these two aspects, creating a challenging tactical experience for players.
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
### Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy
3$207.00 at Amazon
While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term strategy in sci-fi civilization-building. Its systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to plan several steps ahead as they explore the galaxy, design ships, and engage in combat. This game combines tactical depth with the thrill of cosmic exploration.
If you enjoy these, be sure to explore our picks for the best board games overall and the best board game deals.
What Counts as a Wargame?
In gaming communities, the term "wargame" can be contentious. Traditionally, it refers to games that simulate historical conflicts, often requiring extensive research and resulting in high-priced products with detailed components. Examples from our list include Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, which are on the more accessible side of this genre.
However, the definition can be broader. Some games simulate conflicts that might have happened, like a Cold War turning into World War 3, while others, like Undaunted, use historical settings without aiming for simulation. A smaller group attempts to realistically depict entirely fictional or sci-fi scenarios. Whether these count as "wargames" varies among gamers.
Ultimately, these debates are niche. We've adopted a broad definition, encompassing games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in a specific type of conflict game, enthusiast sites can provide further exploration.
